No government can be formed without the support of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP), says Independent Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner.
Warner was commenting on an exclusive poll commissioned by the Express Newspapers and conducted by data analysis firm Solution by Simulation, which indicates political preference in the country is divided in near-equal numbers even though Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar remains popular as a leader.
When voters are asked who they would support if a general election were held today, the result is a statistical tie. Of all respondents, 34 per cent selected the People’s Partnership, and 32 per cent chose the People’s National Movement (PNM). The ILP would get four per cent; and other parties, four per cent; with 26 per cent undecided.
Warner said yesterday all polls have shown a third political force has a place in the country. “One thing for certain; based on polls, what we know is that no government can be formed without the support of the ILP, and the ILP cannot form the government without the support of other parties,” said Warner.
Since his resignation from the Government, Warner has been very critical of the People’s Partnership and has asked citizens to forgive him for imposing the most corrupt government on them.
Asked whether he was willing to talk to the People’s Partnership with respect to joining the coalition, Warner said the ILP was willing to speak to anyone.
“If they can sanitise themselves, it will be up to the membership to decide,” Warner said.
He said the ILP was also willing to have talks with the PNM. “If the PNM looks more and more attractive, we have no problem talking to the PNM,” he said.
Warner said the Congress of the People (COP) and the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) were politically dead and the ILP was the only third political party in the country of relevance.
He said the ILP has been intensifying its efforts on the ground holding cottage meetings in every area, and the party continues its dialogue with the people.
Questioned on whether he will be returning to defend his Chaguanas West constituency under an ILP ticket, Warner said he has not decided yet, but he knows for certain he will definitely return to electoral politics when the general election is called next year. (Trinidad Express)
